They destroyed the sun to save the mountain (an easy choice), but would the river run again?

That decision doesn't keep Frank Taylor up at night. In fact, two weeks away from opening his latest restaurant, Quartet, in the former home of Portland's most notorious flop, Lucier, he seems sanguine.

"I'm on cloud nine," he says.

Whether to run water through a man-made channel encircling this massive space isn't the sort of question restaurant managers typically have to ask themselves. Then again, this isn't a typical restaurant.

The multimillion dollar space -- its front doors silver, its bar capped by a gold dome designed to resemble the sun -- has been closed to the public since, a dust-gathering testament to both hubris and the recent recession.

Last April, Taylor approached the Dussin Group, which launched Lucier, about taking over the space. As a managing partner in the Arizona-based Keeler Hospitality Group, Taylor had previously opened the downtown steakhouse Portland Prime. After a few hurdles -- parking was a sticking point -- the Keeler group signed a sublease on the Lucier space in October. The Dussin Group, which runs the Old Spaghetti Factory chain, continues to pay part of the original lease's five-figure monthly rent (Taylor declined to specify the amount).

During a short tour of the Lucier space last week, Taylor pointed out changes he'd made, starting by demolishing the bar's golden dome. The move opens up the view of the river, and on clear days patrons can see Mount Hood in the distance. In the bar, Taylor envisions a lengthy afternoon happy hour buzzing with downtown office workers and South Waterfront condo residents.

In the large kitchen, practically untouched since Lucier's demise, chef Adam Kekahuna -- best known locally for his critically panned stint at Saucebox -- is developing a menu that combines Pacific Northwest and Southern flavors. Taylor described the food alternately as "approachable" and "upscale." (Go to oregonlive.com/dining for a first look at Quartet's menu and photos of the space.)

Elsewhere, the silver front doors have been replaced by inviting wood and glass. In the dining room, all but three of Lucier's 20 showy Dale Chihuly glass sculptures have been removed. The leather-padded walls in the bathrooms remain, as do most of Lucier's tables and chairs.

Standing near a new baby grand piano in the dining room and wearing a sharp blue suit, Taylor explained how the new restaurant got its name.

"Great hospitality, great quality food and beverages, atmosphere that speaks for itself and, oh by the way, music -- that's what makes the perfect quartet," the Detroit native said.

View full sizeAll but three of Lucier's 20 Dale Chihuly sculptures have been removed.

"Is this a GH1?" Pacini asked.

Taylor laughed. "Tony, you're not speaking my language," he said. "If you asked me about a steak or a drink, then we're talking ...."

As Pacini played a tune, testing the acoustics in the high-ceilinged room, Taylor walked with general manager Greg Gonzales over a bridge, crossing the man-made river and striding toward the restaurant's southeast corner. I asked Taylor again if he had any worries about Quartet, which opens officially on Valentine's Day.

"The butterflies are not there," he said. "The team that we have assembled for the restaurants (is) the best. It feels good to come in here every day."